Gandingan beregu lelaki negara, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, menggigit jari untuk mara ke separuh akhir Kejohanan Seluruh England apabila kesilapan mudah serta gagal menyempurnakan mata pada saat penting menjadi intipati kepada kekalahan di tangan pasangan Denmark, Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen, semalam.
Dalam perlawanan yang menyaksikan V Shem-Wee Kiong mengawal permainan set pertama dengan mendahului selesa, pasangan Malaysia itu kemudian meniti tempoh hambar apabila membenarkan lawan yang ketinggalan 14-17 mengutip empat mata berturut-turut apabila banyak melakukan kesilapan.
Sekalipun berjaya menyamakan kedudukan 20-20, kegagalan untuk menyempurnakan mata pada saat genting membawa padah kepada pasangan Malaysia itu.
"Rentak permainan kami berjaya dibaca oleh lawan dan dalam set kedua, mereka berjaya dalam setiap gerakan yang dilakukan," kata Wee Kiong.
Harapan untuk melihat V Shem-Wee Kiong bangkit dalam set kedua tidak berhasil -- sekali lagi kesilapan demi kesilapan dilakukan, ditambah pertahanan yang kurang kental menyebabkan pasangan itu akhirnya tunduk dalam tempoh hanya 43 minit.
"Saya berasakan tetap ada kelemahan yang boleh diperbaiki daripada kekalahan ini," kata V Shem.
Terhenti dalam pusingan suku akhir menyaksikan V Shem-Wee Kiong menyamai pencapaian tahun lalu dan terus kempunan meraih gelaran sulung Kejohanan Seluruh England.
Penulis Jemputan
Sat Mar 17 2018
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